Mens 1's vs Marlow 1's

Saturday 3rd September marked the start of the season for all Ningers’ with our HockeyFest celebrations. This included men’s and ladies trials interspersed with a healthy smattering of DJ Painter, face painting and classic family games with a BBQ provided by our new club Chef to keep everyone fuelled for the day.

The pinnacle of the day was undoubtedly the afternoon game between Marlow and Sonning Men, two clubs who are really starting to get to know one other with the frequency of clashes during the summer. Sonning were led by new captain Jonathan Sharp and armed with a new coach and playing philosophy, boasted a team close to full strength. The same could not be said of Marlow, who were reported to be missing up to 20 players from their top squads.

Whether or not this explained the near total domination of the opening 15 minutes by Sonning remains to be seen, but Sonning were able to turn the ball over at will deep in Marlow territory time and time again. This culminated in the men in yellow taking the lead through an incisive opening run by Noel Plant, who selflessly provided for Ian Gallagher to dispatch emphatically (1-0).

Unfortunately, this domination didn’t last as Marlow slowly got themselves back into the game, creating pressure and a few chances of their own as the half wore on. Despite this Sonning remained assured and successfully kept their narrow lead through to the break.

During halftime the weather that had threatened throughout closed in. Sonning supporters are a hardy bunch however, and they could be clearly heard throughout in defiance of the inclement conditions. Despite this, Marlow slowly took a stranglehold of the game, with the majority of early second half possession and territory, without seriously threatening the Sonning goal. This limited Sonning to a handful of breakaway chances that the Marlow replacement keeper was equal to, with a number of impressive smothers to keep the score from being extended.

Marlow finally made the pressure tell mid-way through the second half, with a well worked short-corner routine that manoeuvred both defenders and keeper out of the way in order to bring the scores level (1-1). This change in scoreline precipitated greater encouragement from Marlow, and unfortunately brought out a few demons from seasons’ past in the Sonning ranks. First Matt ‘Tamps’ Sloper, having already incurred the ire of the official for sloppy jab tackling, pulled out another agricultural effort that left a Marlow forward writhing in agony. This resulted in a 5 minute cool down despite his protestations, and Sonning’s plight was made more precarious by the otherwise imperious Neil Pursell, who by taking umbrage with a decision and refusing to let the point go, earned himself his own cooling off period.

The resulting break in play did allow the remaining players to come together, calm down and return to playing proper hockey that ultimately enabled Sonning to see out the game in relative comfort.

Honours even therefore in round three between these two sides, but next time there’ll be league points on offer with Sonning carrying the momentum having lost the opening pair of matches. This reporter for one looks forward to further encounters with relish. Particularly if they prove to be as entertaining as this one.

MotM – Alasdair Allan
DotD – Matt Sloper